15 April 2013 - 2 Explosions at Finish line of Boston Marathon

[cupper]

Currently NBC reports that 2 people killed, and 23 people injured.

 

[cupper]

News Conference with Boston Police Commisioner:

Apparently there was a third incident at the JFK Library.

Advising people to stay home.

Multiple EOD teams currently checking out bags and packages dropped by spectators during the rush to get away from the scene, but have found no new devices.

 

[Pryce]

BOSTON -- Two bombs exploded near the finish of the Boston Marathon on Monday, killing two people, injuring 23 others and sending authorities rushing to aid wounded spectators at America's oldest and most prestigious marathon, race organizers and police said.
One runner, a state police officer from neighbouring Rhode Island, said he saw at least two dozen people with very serious injuries, including missing limbs.
About two hours after the winners crossed the finish line, there was a loud explosion on the north side of Boylston Street, just before the photo bridge that marks the line. Another explosion could be heard a few seconds later.

Medical workers aid injured people at the 2013 Boston Marathon following an explosion in Boston on Monday, April 15, 2013. (AP Photo/The Boston Globe, David L Ryan)

Medical workers wheel the injured across the finish line during the 2013 Boston Marathon following an explosion in Boston on Monday, April 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Medical responders run an injured man past the finish line the 2013 Boston Marathon following an explosion in Boston on Monday, April 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Medical workers aid injured people at the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon following an explosion in Boston on Monday, April 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Medical workers aid injured people at the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon following an explosion in Boston, Monday, April 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
The Boston Marathon said that bombs caused the two explosions and that organizers were working with authorities to determine what happened. The Boston Police Department said two people were killed and 23 others injured.
A senior U.S. intelligence official said the two other explosive devices found nearby were being dismantled. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the findings publicly.
Competitors and race volunteers were crying as they fled the chaos. Bloody spectators were being carried to the medical tent that had been set up to care for fatigued runners. Authorities went onto the course to carry away the injured while stragglers in the 26.2-mile (42-kilometre) race were rerouted away from the smoking site.
Roupen Bastajian, a 35-year-old state trooper from Rhode Island, had just finished the race when they put the heat blanket wrap on him and he heard the first blast.
"I started running toward the blast. And there were people all over the floor," he said. "We started grabbing tourniquets and started tying legs. A lot of people amputated. ... At least 25 to 30 people have at least one leg missing, or an ankle missing, or two legs missing."
A Boston police officer was wheeled from the course with a leg injury that was bleeding.
"There are a lot of people down," said one man, whose bib No. 17528 identified him as Frank Deruyter of North Carolina. He was not injured, but marathon workers were carrying one woman, who did not appear to be a runner, to the medical area as blood gushed from her leg.
Smoke rose from the blasts, fluttering through the national flags lining the route of the world's oldest and most prestigious marathon. TV helicopter footage showed blood staining the pavement in the popular shopping and tourist area known as the Back Bay.
A third explosion was heard about an hour after the first two after authorities warned spectators to expect a loud noise from a water cannon.
"There are people who are really, really bloody," said Laura McLean, a runner from Toronto, who was in the medical tent being treated for dehydration when she was pulled out to make room for victims of the explosions. "They were pulling them into the medical tent."
Runners who had not finished the race were diverted straight down Commonwealth Avenue and into a family meeting area, according to an emergency plan that had been in place.
The White House said President Barack Obama has been notified about the explosions. The administration said it is in contact with state and local authorities and the president directed his administration to provide whatever assistance is necessary in the investigation and response.
Vice-President Joe Biden was on a conference call with gun control activists when staffers turned on televisions in his office Monday to view coverage of the explosions. Biden said during the call that his prayers were with those who suffered injuries.
"Apparently there has been a bombing," Biden said. "I don't know any of the details of what caused it, who did it. I don't think it exists yet. But our prayers are with those people in Boston who suffered injury."
Shortly after the explosions, Secret Service shut down Pennsylvania Avenue outside the White House, cordoning off the area with yellow police tape. Several Secret Service patrol cars also blocked off the entry points to the road.
The White House was not on lockdown and tourists and other onlookers were still able to be in the park across the street from the executive mansion.
The Federal Aviation Administration warned pilots that it had created a no-fly zone over the site of the explosions in Boston.
The agency said in a notice issued Monday about an hour after the explosions that a no-fly zone with a 3.5-mile (5.6-kilometre) radius has been created over 811 Boylston Street. The zone is limited to flights under 3,000 feet (914 metres) in altitude, which is lower than most airliners would fly except when taking off or landing.
The notice said the no-fly zone is effective immediately and will remain in effect until further notice. Pilots planning flights were urged to call their local flight service station.
In Britain, police said they were reviewing security plans for Sunday's London Marathon, the next major international marathon. Thousands of people compete in the London Marathon every year, thronging the city's streets. London is also considered a top target for international terrorists.
A London Metropolitan Police spokesman confirmed Monday that police are working with marathon officials to review security plans for Sunday's event. The London race's chief executive, Nick Bitel, expressed shock and sadness about the situation in Boston, saying "it is a very sad day for athletics and for our friends in marathon running."
In New York City, police spokesman Paul Browne said that critical response teams are deployed around the city. Officials were stepping up security at hotels and other prominent locations.
Runners who had not finished the Boston race were diverted straight down Commonwealth Avenue and into a family meeting area, according to an emergency plan that had been in place.
The nearby Prudential Tower, the city's second-tallest building with an upscale shopping mall on the ground, was evacuated, along with the luxury Mandarin Oriental hotel, according to media reports.
Race day got started with 26 seconds of silence in honour of the victims of the December school shooting in Connecticut. A little more than 2 hours later, the lead runners passed the Mile 26 marker, which was decorated with the Newtown, Connecticut, seal and dedicated to the memory of those killed there.
The annual 26.2-mile (42-kilometre) marathon takes place on Patriot's Day, a state holiday that celebrates the evacuation of Boston by the British in the American Revolution.
Spectator Cherie Falgoust was waiting for her husband, who was running the race.
"I was expecting my husband any minute," she said. "I don't know what this building is ... it just blew. Just a big bomb, a loud boom, and then glass everywhere. Something hit my head. I don't know what it was. I just ducked."


Read more: http://www.cp24.com/two-dead-dozens-injured-following-boston-explosions-1.1238779#ixzz2QZGy4Wwj

 

[Strike]

NY Post reporting on Twitter that they have detained a Saudi national in a Boston hospital.

 

[CougarKing]

CBC coverage of the attack just said that there were more than 2,000 Canadians listed as entrants on the Boston Marathon (which had up to a reported 27,000 entrants of all nationalities), so the Canadian Consulate in Boston is trying to confirm their whereabouts...

From National Post coverage:

• Canadians in Boston needing assistance can reach the Consulate General at (617) 247-5100

Meanwhile CBC coverage of the Boston Police press conference just stated that there was 3rd incident at the JFK library, but that it was not to be confused with a controlled explosion on Boylston Street by their bomb squad to get rid of another device.

 

[cupper]

For anyone trying to contact people in the Boston area, Officials have shut down the cell system to prevent new remote detonations.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/official-cellphone-service-shut-down-in-boston-to-prevent-remote-detonations-of-explosivew/2013/04/15/21824c30-a60f-11e2-9e1c-bb0fb0c2edd9_story.html?hpid=z2

Also

Google establishes Person Finder

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/?liveblog_entry=google-establishes-person-finder&hpid=z2

Google has established a Person Finder related to the Boston Marathon. If you head here, you can either report that you are looking for someone or that you have information about someone’s status.

http://google.org/personfinder/2013-boston-explosions/

 

[Remius]

Not sure how accurate this is but up to 12 dead now.  Over 50 injured plus a man in custody.

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/authorities_under_suspect_guard_y2m8cJO29uC2PDGIjYBalO

Again, the media has been known to jump the gun on these things.

 

[Robert0288]

Here's the Boston police/fire/ems scanner if anyone is interested http://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/6254/web

 

[JorgSlice]

Already posted.

 

[Jester_TG]

Man this is messed up!!

<glued to news>

 

[cupper]

The President is scheduled to speak to the nation at 6:10 EDT.

 

[Jester_TG]

that was a pretty short speech.

No org has taken responsibility - looking like a domestic terrorist/nut case

 

[PAdm]

Just tuned into the news.  Loved how I saw volunteers along side uniforms digging through the mess and treating the casualties.  Where would we be without volunteers in our communities? 

The news is now in ramble mode as they are waiting to bring us "live" to the House of Representatives so we can see them hold 2 minutes of silence.  Let's get back to the more pressing questions about this bizarre event.

 

[The Bread Guy]

No org has taken responsibility - looking like a domestic terrorist/nut case

It may be a touch early to rule out others.

 

[Jarnhamar]

that was a pretty short speech.

No org has taken responsibility - looking like a domestic terrorist/nut case

Because a country or organization who just commits a terrorist attack against the strongest nation on Earth is going to necessarily jump at taking credit?

 

[Jester_TG]

It may be a touch early to rule out others.

noted....I'm just repeating what I am hearing on CBS's coverage.

 

[Jester_TG]

Because a country or organization who just commits a terrorist attack against the strongest nation on Earth is going to necessarily jump at taking credit?

A lot do....but again - noted it is early

 

[Strike]

This was posted on my friend's FB.  Seems people are pulling together.

Thanks for all your concern. We are safe and sound at our hotel in Woburn MA. Our race ended at 25.75 miles, minutes from the finish. I cannot say enough about the incredible people of Boston who came out to give us water and garbage bags to keep warm while we waited for news, along with the incredible volunteers and police for helped get us safely out of the downtown area. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who weren't so lucky. A very sad end to what was supposed to be an incredible day for the lucky 27,000 running.

 

[The Bread Guy]

PM's message (highlights mine):

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement on the explosions at the Boston Marathon:

“I was shocked to learn of the explosions that occurred today during the running of the Boston Marathon. It is truly a sad day when an event as inspiring as the Boston Marathon is clouded by such senseless violence. 

“Our thoughts and prayers are with those injured or affected by this horrible incident.  We stand with our American neighbours in this difficult time.”

Canadians in Boston requiring emergency assistance should contact the Consulate General at (617) 247-5100. Friends and relatives seeking information on Canadian citizens believed to be in the area should contact 1-800-387-3124 or sos@international.gc.ca.”

 

[Fishbone Jones]

A lot do....but again - noted it is early

Less talking, more listening.

Enough with the one liners just to hear yourself talk.

---Staff---